Ribbon-like interfaces (ala Office 2007)

**Big Frank** · 13 April 2009, 12:41 AM

I know I'm going to regret asking this - what is this ribbon interface you lot are talking about???

**Ross Macintosh** · 13 April 2009, 12:51 AM

Frank - if you open Office 2007 applications they will have a graphic horizontal toolbar (the ribbon) at the top of the window - instead of a whole bunch of little tool icons. It is almost like having a webpage style navigation. You can't see all the options at once. Clicking, say, 'Format' will expand that part of the toolbar and provide numerous commands relating to formatting. When you later click 'view' it will expand and 'format' contract.

The result is fairly intuitive but puts things in slightly different places than where you might have come to expect them from older versions.

**Big Frank** · 13 April 2009, 01:36 AM

Thanks Ross,

I have OpenOffice and am unlikely to come across MSOffice of my own free will.

**covoxer** · 13 April 2009, 05:59 AM

Unfortunately (or luckily for some), the Microsoft interface initiatives (as well as Apple even to the higher degree) are extremely contagious. So, it's highly probable that quite soon we'll see this kind of interface everywhere (including OpenOffice). Unless Apple will step forward with ribbon killing interface concept in the near future.

**steve.ledger** · 13 April 2009, 08:07 AM

..extremely contagious. So, it's highly probable that quite soon we'll see this kind of interface everywhere

aha! extremely huh??
So - RUI for Xtreme 5 ??

**covoxer** · 13 April 2009, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by sledger

aha! extremely huh??
So - RUI for Xtreme 5 ??

No. No way.

**Giovanni** · 13 April 2009, 06:32 PM

Ribbon in Xtreme 5: this is exactly what I'm suggesting!

**Improv** · 13 April 2009, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by covoxer

No. No way.

The ribbon bar is already outdated. MS now says that Windows 8 will have one big 10cm square icon in the middle of the screen. They say it's yet another example of innovative thinking from MS!

No, really!!!

**covoxer** · 14 April 2009, 06:03 AM

indeed.

**Improv** · 14 April 2009, 06:36 AM

Originally Posted by covoxer

indeed.

And the sad part is that the MS Mega fanboys would obediently line up to spout the praises of the latest marketing gimmick that bears little resemblence to actually needed features.

'Ribbon bars' indeed. If I I had a quarter for every time MS claimed to come out with some useless marketing speak.